Ear-cushion.



T. W. MILLER.

EAR CUSHION.

APPLICATION FILED Aue.n, 1917.

Patentei Jan. 22, 1918.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS W. MILLER, OF ASHLAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE FAULTLESS RUBBERCOMPANY, OF ASHLAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

EAR-CUSHION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 22, 1918.

Application filed August 17, 1917. Serial No. 186,697.

have invented certain new and useful Im provements in Ear-Cush1ons, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to cushioning devlces for the ear-pieces oftelephone receivers and similar devices, and has for its objects toprovide a structure which will insure its close and accurate applicationto the ear of the user, and one which will be yielding and withoutharmful effect, whereby the acoustic or auditory properties of thedevices to which it may be applied will be improved, and whereby thedurability of the same will be of maximum efliciency.

These objects I accomplish in the manner and by the means hereinafterdescribed and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing,in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the end of a telephonereceiver having my improved device applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the end of said receiver, my improveddevice being shown thereon in section.

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view, partly broken away, of theresilient ring of my improved device.

Similar numerals of reference denote corresponding parts in the severalviews.

In the said drawing the reference numeral 1 denotes the end of atelephone receiver having the usual flange 2 and projecting earpiece 3,which in the normal use of the device is applied directly to the ear ofthe user. My improved device comprises a flexible cup preferably formedof rubber, the flange 5 of which is adapted to engage over the ear-piece3 of the receiver 1, as best seen in 2. The said cup 4: is bulgedannularl at 6 to provide an interior annular poc et, in which is seateda ring 7 of resilient material, preferably sponge rubber, said ringbeing rounded at its outer surface to conform to the interior of thebulge 6, I

and being flattened on its inner surface to register with the inner faceof the cup 4, as shown. Said cup 4 is apertured centrally at 8 inregister with the diaphragm of the receiver 1. y

In use the cup 4 is applied to the earpiece 3 of the receiver 1, asshown in Fig. 2, and the ring 7 rests in contact with the annular edgeof the ear-piece 3, so that when the receiver is applied to the ear ofthe user the bulge 6 of the cup 4 will contact with the ear and head,and the underlying resilient ring will receive the pressure yieldingly,whereby a close and accurate contact may be had between said cup 4 andthe head and ear of the user without danger of inury.

I am aware that heretofore ear-pieces have been employed embodying apneumatic cushion, but it will be understood that my improvedconstruction accomplishes all the advantages of the pneumatic structureand is at the same time very much more durable, being practicallyincapable of getting out of order. In fact, if the resilient ring 7should lose its elasticity for any reason, it is obvious that the samemay be removed and replaced by a fresh ring without the slightestdiificulty. However, I contemplate, if desired, cementing the ring 7 inposition within the bulge 6, though it is equally as effective ifloosely disposed therein.

My improved device not only prevents injury to the ear and head of theuser, but also most effectually excludes extraneous noises when in use,and is of extreme durability, in which respect it differs from the moreeasily damaged pneumatic ear-pieces heretofore used.

While I have shown and described my I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is

1. An ear cushion for telephone receivers and the like, comprising acup, and a resilient ring disposed within said cup, and adapted, whensaid cup is placed in operative position on a receiver or other article,to contact with the surface of said article, said cup lying between saidring and the ear of the user.

I l 2. A structure as specified in claim 1, in which the resilient, ringis formed of sponge rubber.

3. A structure as specified in claim 1, in 5 which the cup is formed ofelastic material. 4. A structure as specified in claim 2, in which thecup is formed of elastic material. 5. A structure as specified in claim1, in

which the cup is lOi'IllWl with an annular bulge to receive the ring.

6. A structure a5 specified in claim 5. in which the cup i5 llangml toengage over the ear-piece of the receiver 01- other article.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand this 13 (lay of August,1917.

THOMAS \V. M I IJLER.

